Tool belt

ABSTRACT

A hammer support device usable with a tool belt for conveniently storing a hammer in a tool belt while preventing the hammer from striking a person wearing the belt while the person is walking. The hammer support device may be formed from an upper support arm configured to support the hammer and a lower containment device configured to prevent the handle of the hammer from swinging. The hammer support device may be coupled to a tool belt that can be releaseably attached to a person. The tool belt having an upper accessory pocket and a lower accessory pocket. The upper accessory pocket may be attached to the tool belt above the lower accessory pocket and may be sized larger than the upper accessory pocket facilitating easy access to the lower accessory pocket.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/869,139, filed Dec. 8, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed generally to tool belts, and more particularly to tool support devices attached to tool belts.

BACKGROUND

Construction workers often use tool belts to conveniently contain hardware and tools in easily accessible open pockets. Such tool belts often are configured to support tools, such as hammers, nail punches, scrappers, measuring tapes and other such tools. Hammers have conventionally been supported within single leather straps and in other embodiments, within single metal rings. The hammer supports are typically affixed to a base member with belt loops that enable the base member to hang from a belt. In other embodiments, the hammer supports have been affixed to the outer surfaces of pouches on a tool belt. Typically, the hammer supports are positioned such that the handle of the hammer is at rest beside a user's hip such that a handle of the hammer extends towards the user's knee. The hammer is easily accessible in these hammer supports and are relatively unrestricted thereby enabling the hammer to move in the hammer support. However, the hammer often swings uncontrollably when the user is walking causing the handle of the hammer to strike the back of the user's knee and leg repeatedly causing bruising and pain to develop in those locations. Thus, an improved hammer support is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a hammer support system configured to conveniently store a hammer or other such tool in a tool belt while preventing the hammer from striking a person wearing the tool belt while the person is walking. The hammer support system may be configured such that a hammer may be easily inserted into the system for temporary storage and easily removed from the support system when the hammer is needed. The hammer support system is a robust configuration that is capable of withstanding continuous abuse typically encountered when used by professional tradesman.

The hammer support system may be formed from a tool belt configured to be attached to a person and a hammer support device. The hammer support device may be formed from an upper support arm attached to the tool belt to form an opening sized to enable a handle of a hammer to be inserted into the opening yet prevent a head of a hammer from passing through the opening. The hammer support device may also include a lower containment device. The lower containment device may be attached to the upper containment arm or may be offset from the upper support arm. The lower containment device may form an opening sized to receive the handle of the hammer to limit the movement of the hammer while the head of the hammer is supported by the upper support arm. In one embodiment, the lower containment device may be formed from a lower support arm. The upper and lower support arms may be formed from a unitary body. The upper support arm may be formed from a U-shaped support arm, and the lower support arm may be formed from a U-shaped support arm.

In one embodiment, the upper and lower support arms may be coupled together with at least one support leg extending between the upper and lower support arms. The at least one support leg may be formed from a first support leg extending from a first side of the upper support arm to a first side of the lower support arm and a second support leg extending from a second side of the upper support arm to a second side of the lower support arm. The upper support arm may extend generally orthogonally from the first and second support legs, and the lower support arm may extend generally orthogonally from the first and second support legs. The hammer support device may also include a lip on the upper support arm extending upwardly from a plane in which the upper support arm resides to assist in containing the hammer.

The hammer support device may be attached to the tool belt with at least one orifice in at least one support leg enabling a connector to be inserted therethrough to attach the at least one support leg to the tool belt. The at least one support leg may include an attachment region with at least one orifice enabling a connector to be inserted therethrough to attach the at least one support leg to the tool belt. The attachment region may include a width wider than a width of the at least one support leg to facilitate use of appropriately sized connectors and to create a secure attachment. The attachment region may include first and second orifices in the attachment region.

The hammer support system may also include a tool belt having an upper accessory pocket and a lower accessory pocket. The upper accessory pocket may be attached to the tool belt above the lower accessory pocket. The lower accessory pocket may be sized larger than the upper accessory pocket such that a perimeter of the lower accessory pocket may extend a larger distance orthogonally from a generally planar surface of the tool belt than a perimeter of the upper accessory pocket facilitating easy access to the lower accessory pocket. Such a configuration is superior to conventional designs because less commonly used nails, such as cut nails, may be placed in the upper accessory pocket and more commonly used items and larger items, such as penny and 12 penny nails may be placed in the lower accessory pocket.

An advantage of this invention is that the lower containment device enables a hammer to be stored while hanging from a tool belt and prevents the hammer from swinging and hitting back of the leg of the person about whose waist the tool belt is attached.

Another advantage of this invention is that the upper support arm may include a lip on the upper support arm extending upwardly from a plane in which the upper support arm resides to maintain the head of the hammer in proper orientation to prevent the hammer from moving wildly while being supported in the hammer support device.

Another advantage of the invention is that the tool belt includes an upper accessory pocket that is positioned above larger lower accessory pocket such that the smaller, upper accessory pocket may extend outwardly in the same direction of the larger packet, yet both pockets remain easily accessible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the presently disclosed invention and, together with the description, disclose the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hammer support system formed with a tool belt with a hammer support device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hammer support device.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the hammer support device.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the hammer support device.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the hammer support system.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the hammer support system.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the hammer support device of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-7, this invention is directed to a hammer support system 9 configured to conveniently store a hammer 12 or other such tool in a tool belt 14 while preventing the hammer 12 from striking a person wearing the tool belt 14 while the person is walking. The hammer support system 9 may be configured such that a hammer 12 may be easily inserted into the system 9 for temporary storage and easily removed from the support system 9 when the hammer 12 is needed. The hammer support system 9 is a robust configuration that is capable of withstanding continuous abuse typically encountered when used by professional tradesman.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the hammer support system 9 may be formed from a hammer support device 10 formed from an upper support arm 16 attached to the tool belt 14 to form an opening 18 sized to enable a handle 20 of a hammer 12 to be inserted into the opening 18 yet prevent a head 22 of a hammer 12 from passing through the opening 18. The opening 18 may be larger than the cross-sectional area of the hammer handle yet smaller than a distance from the end of the head of the hammer to an opposing side of the handle at the head of the hammer to prevent the head of the hammer from passing through the opening 18. The hammer support device 10 may also include a lower containment device 24 that is offset from the upper support arm 16 and forms an opening 26 sized to receive the handle 20 of the hammer 12 to limit the movement of the hammer 12 while the head 22 of the hammer 12 is supported by the upper support arm 16. In at least one embodiment, the lower containment device 24 may be offset downwardly from the upper support arm 16. The upper support arm 16 may be formed from any material having sufficient strength to support a hammer 12. In at least one embodiment, the upper support arm 16 may be formed from a metal, such as aluminum, steel, brass and other metals, and other appropriate materials. The components of the hammer support device 10 may be coated such as with paint, plasticized rubber, plastics or other appropriate coating.

The upper support arm 16 may be formed from any shape that is capable of releaseably supporting a hammer 12. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper support arm 16 may have a generally U-shape. The upper support arm 16 may be formed from a bar having a generally cylindrical cross-section. In other embodiments, the upper support arm 16 may have cross-sections with other shapes.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper support arm 16 may also include a lip 28 that extends upwardly from a plane in which the upper support arm 16 resides and generally away from the lower containment device 24 for retaining the hammer 12 within the upper support arm 16 and for limiting movement of the head 22 of the hammer 12 while the head 22 of the hammer 12 is supported by the upper support arm 16.

The lower containment device 24 may be formed from any device capable of limiting the amount of lateral movement of the handle 20 of the hammer 12. In at least one embodiment, the lower containment device 24 may be formed from a lower support arm 30. The lower support arm 30 may be formed from one or more members that may or may not be continuous. The lower support arm 30 may include the opening 26 to receive the handle 20 of the hammer 12. The opening 26 may be sized the same as the opening 18 in the upper support arm 16 or may be sized smaller or larger then the opening 18. The lower support arm 30 may be formed from the same material as the upper support arm 16 or may be formed from other materials. For instance, the lower support arm 30 may be formed from the same material as the upper support arm 16 and may be formed as a unitary structure with the upper support arm 16 and support legs 32, 34. In another embodiment, the lower containment device 24 may be formed from a fabric strap or other such device for limiting movement of the handle 20. The fabric strap may include a support structure within the fabric for forming the opening 26.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the upper support arm 16 may be offset upwardly from the lower support arm 30 forming an open space between the upper and lower support arms 16, 30. The distance between the upper and lower support arms 16, 30 is relative to the length of the handle 20 of a hammer 12 to be stored in the hammer support device 10. In at least one embodiment configured to support a conventional framing hammer 12, such as a two pound hammer, the distance between the upper and lower support arms 16, 30 may be about 3.5 inches. In other embodiments, the distance between the upper and lower support arms 16, 30 may be different than 3.5 inches. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the lower containment device 24 may extend from the upper support arm 16 continuously until terminating a desired distance from the upper support arm 16. For instance, in one example, the lower containment device 24 may be formed from a sheath extending for 3.5 inches downward from the upper support arm. The sheath may be formed from a rigid or flexible material.

The upper and lower support arms 16, 30 may be offset and supported by one or more support legs 32. In one embodiment, the upper and lower support arms 16, 30 may be supported by a first support leg 32 and a second support leg 34. The upper support arm 16 may extend generally orthogonally from the support legs 32. In addition, the lower support arm 30 may extend generally orthogonally from the support legs 32. In one embodiment, the upper and lower support arms 16, 30 may be generally parallel. The first support leg 32 may be attached to a first side 36 of the upper support arm 16 and may extend to a first side 38 of the lower support arm 30. The second support leg 34 may be attached to a second side 40 of the upper support arm 16 and may extend to a second side 42 of the lower support arm 30. In one embodiment, the first and second support legs 32, 34 may be formed from the same materials as the upper and lower support arms 16, 30. In another embodiment, the first and second support legs 32, 34 may be formed from materials that are different than the upper and lower support arms 16, 30.

One or both of the first and second support legs 32, 34 may include one or more orifices 44 useful for attaching the hammer support device 10 to the tool belt 14. Connectors 46, such as, but not limited to rivets, pins, screws, and other appropriate connectors, may be used to attach the hammer support device 10 to the tool belt 14. In at least one embodiment, the first and second support legs 32, 34 may each include two orifices 44. The first support leg 32 may include first and second orifices 48, 50, and the second support leg 34 may include first and second orifices 52, 54. Attachment regions 56, 58 may be attached to the first and second support legs 32, 34. The attachment regions 56, 58 may have a width greater than the width of the first and second support legs 32, 34 to enable the attachment regions 56, 58 to include orifices 48, 50, 52, 54.

The tool belt 14 may be any tool belt configured to be attached to a person. In at least one embodiment, the tool belt 14 may include an upper accessory pocket 60 and a lower accessory pocket 62. The upper accessory pocket 60 may be attached to the tool belt 14 above the lower accessory pocket 62. The lower accessory pocket 62 may be sized larger than the upper accessory pocket 60 such that a perimeter of the lower accessory pocket 62 may extend a larger distance orthogonally from a generally planar surface 64 of the tool belt 14 than a perimeter of the upper accessory pocket 60 facilitating easy access to the lower accessory pocket 62. Such a configuration is superior to conventional designs because less commonly used nails, such as cut nails, may be placed in the upper accessory pocket 60 and more commonly used items and larger items, such as 16 penny and 12 penny nails may be placed in the lower accessory pocket 62.

The accessory pockets 60, 62 and other pockets 66 of the tool belt 14 may be formed from a durable fabric such as, but not limited to, CORDURA, SPUNTUFF, and other appropriate fabrics. The lower accessory pocket 62 may include a rigid support board, such as but not limited to a polyethylene (PE) board, such as, but not limited to a high density polyethylene (HDPE), to enable the lower accessory pocket 62 to remain open for easy access to the contents of the pocket. One or more pockets 66 may be attached to an outer surface 68 of the lower accessory pocket 62. The hammer support device 10 may be attached to the outer surface 68. A tape measure clip 70 may be attached to the outer surface 68 for supporting a cylindrically wound tape measure via a conventional support clip attached to a the cylindrically wound tape measure.

The tool belt 14 may be supported in many different manners. For instance, the tool belt 14 may include a belt receiving pocket 70 through which a belt may be inserted. The belt may be connected around the waist of a person to attach the tool belt 14 at the waist of the person. The tool belt 14 may also include a plurality of shoulder strap connectors 72 to attach a shoulder strap 78 to the tool belt 14. The shoulder strap connectors 72 may be, but are not limited to, D-rings or other appropriate connectors. One shoulder strap connector 72 may be attached to a front or backside surface of an upper corner 74 of the tool belt 14. A second shoulder strap connector 72 may be attached to a front or backside surface of an upper corner 76 of the tool belt 14.

The shoulder strap 78 may be any appropriate shoulder strap. In at least one embodiment, the shoulder strap 78 may include padding and include a slide resistant outer surface to prevent the shoulder strap from sliding off of a shoulder of a person using the tool belt 14. The shoulder strap 78 may include releasable connectors, such as, but not limited to, carabineers, clips, or other releasable connectors.

The tool belt 14 may also include padding 80 on a backside surface 82 of the tool belt 14. In one embodiment, the padding may protrude from the backside surface 82 about ⅜ to about ¾ of an inch. The padding may be any padding capable of withstanding the rigors of everyday use. The backside surface 82 of the tool belt 14 may be supported by a PE board covered with a tear resistant fabric as previously identified.

The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention. 

1. A tool belt, comprising: an upper accessory pocket, and a lower accessory pocket sized larger than the upper accessory pocket such that a perimeter of the lower accessory pocket may extend a larger distance orthogonally from a generally planar surface of the tool belt than a perimeter of the upper accessory pocket facilitating easy access to the lower accessory pocket.
 2. The tool belt of claim 1, wherein the lower accessory pocket includes a rigid support board.
 3. The tool belt of claim 1, further comprising at least one pocket attached to an outer surface of the lower accessory pocket.
 4. The tool belt of claim 1, further comprising a tape measure clip attached to the outer surface for supporting a cylindrically wound tape measure via a conventional support clip attached to a the cylindrically wound tape measure.
 5. The tool belt of claim 1, further comprising a belt receiving pocket through which a belt is inserted.
 6. The tool belt of claim 1, further comprising a shoulder strap with a plurality of releasable connectors attached to a plurality of shoulder strap connectors on the tool belt.
 7. The tool belt of claim 1, further comprising padding on a backside surface of the tool belt.
 8. The tool belt of claim 1, further comprising a hammer support device comprising an upper support arm attached to the tool belt to form an opening sized to enable a handle of a hammer to be inserted into the opening yet prevent a head of a hammer from passing through the opening and a lower containment device forming an opening sized to receive the handle of the hammer to limit the movement of the hammer while the head of the hammer is supported by the upper support arm.
 9. The tool belt of claim 8, wherein the lower containment device is offset from the upper support arm.
 10. The tool belt of claim 9, wherein the upper support arm is formed from a U-shaped support arm and the lower support arm is formed from a U-shaped support arm.
 11. The tool belt of claim 10, wherein the upper and lower support arms are coupled together with at least one support leg extending between the upper and lower support arms.
 12. The tool belt of claim 11, wherein the at least one support leg is comprised of a first support leg extending from a first side of the upper support arm to a first side of the lower support arm and a second support leg extending from a second side of the upper support arm to a second side of the lower support arm.
 13. The tool belt of claim 12, wherein the upper support arm extends generally orthogonally from the first and second support legs, and the lower support arm extends generally orthogonally from the first and second support legs.
 14. The tool belt of claim 13, wherein the at least one support leg includes at least one orifice enabling a connector to be inserted therethrough to attach the at least one support leg to the tool belt.
 15. The tool belt of claim 14, further comprising a lip on the upper support arm extending upwardly from a plane in which the upper support arm resides.
 16. A tool belt, comprising: an upper accessory pocket, and a lower accessory pocket sized larger than the upper accessory pocket such that a perimeter of the lower accessory pocket may extend a larger distance orthogonally from a generally planar surface of the tool belt than a perimeter of the upper accessory pocket facilitating easy access to the lower accessory pocket; wherein the lower accessory pocket includes a rigid support board; a belt receiving pocket through which a belt is inserted; at least one pocket attached to an outer surface of the lower accessory pocket; a tape measure clip attached to the outer surface for supporting a cylindrically wound tape measure via a conventional support clip attached to a the cylindrically wound tape measure; and a shoulder strap with a plurality of releasable connectors attached to a plurality of shoulder strap connectors on the tool belt.
 17. The tool belt of claim 16, further comprising padding on a backside surface of the tool belt.
 18. The tool belt of claim 16, further comprising a hammer support device comprising an upper support arm attached to the tool belt to form an opening sized to enable a handle of a hammer to be inserted into the opening yet prevent a head of a hammer from passing through the opening; a lower support arm that forms an opening sized to receive the handle of the hammer to limit the movement of the hammer while the head of the hammer is supported by the upper support arm; and the upper and lower support arms are coupled together with at least one support leg extending between the upper and lower support arms.
 19. The hammer support system of claim 18, further comprising a lip on the upper support arm extending upwardly from a plane in which the upper support arm resides; wherein the at least one support leg includes an attachment region with at least one orifice enabling a connector to be inserted therethrough to attach the at least one support leg to the tool belt; wherein the at least one support leg is comprised of a first support leg extending from a first side of the upper support arm to a first side of the lower support arm and a second support leg extending from a second side of the upper support arm to a second side of the lower support arm, wherein the upper support arm extends generally orthogonally from the first and second support legs, and wherein the lower support arm extends generally orthogonally from the first and second support legs.
 20. A tool belt, comprising: an upper accessory pocket, and a lower accessory pocket sized larger than the upper accessory pocket such that a perimeter of the lower accessory pocket may extend a larger distance orthogonally from a generally planar surface of the tool belt than a perimeter of the upper accessory pocket facilitating easy access to the lower accessory pocket; wherein the lower accessory pocket includes a rigid support board; a belt receiving pocket through which a belt is inserted; at least one pocket attached to an outer surface of the lower accessory pocket; a tape measure clip attached to the outer surface for supporting a cylindrically wound tape measure via a conventional support clip attached to a the cylindrically wound tape measure; a shoulder strap with a plurality of releasable connectors attached to a plurality of shoulder strap connectors on the tool belt; padding on a backside surface of the tool belt; a hammer support device comprising; an upper support arm attached to the tool belt to form an opening sized to enable a handle of a hammer to be inserted into the opening yet prevent a head of a hammer from passing through the opening; a lower support arm that is offset from the upper support arm and forms an opening sized to receive the handle of the hammer to limit the movement of the hammer while the head of the hammer is supported by the upper support arm; and the upper and lower support arms are coupled together with at least one support leg extending between the upper and lower support arms. 